Tennent's back minimum pricing

SNP MSP Michael Matheson has today (Monday) welcomed the news that Tennent’s, one of Scotland’s leading alcohol brands, supports the Scottish Government’s minimum pricing plan.

Commenting, the MSP for Falkirk West, Michael Matheson said:

“This is indeed very welcome news. Tennent’s understand that responsible producers have nothing to fear with minimum pricing and that only low-end, dirt-cheap alcohol will be affected.

“Minimum pricing is drawing support from a host of companies and organisations, all wanting to change Scotland’s relationship with alcohol through sensible and proved means.

“The 3,000 deaths and 42,000 hospital stays linked to alcohol annually are causing misery across the country and cost ever taxpayer £900 a year – this is a real burden on our public services and underlines the need for change.

“Minimum pricing is a workable approach to tackling the problem and has drawn cross-party support in Westminster. Now, the opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament must stop playing politics with the nation’s health and back these proposals.”

Mike Lees, Managing Director of Tennent Caledonian Breweries, said:

“As Scotland's leading brewer, Tennent's recognises its duty to act responsibly and has always encouraged people to drink responsibly. Tennent's has a strong commitment to Scotland and welcomes sensible moves to ensure alcohol is enjoyed appropriately.

“We recognise that there is an issue of over-consumption of alcohol among a minority of consumers, and acknowledge that the Scottish Government is working to try to combat this problem. In particular, there is an issue with a small group of consumers who purchase cheap alcohol in bulk, drink excessively at home and then go out into pubs and clubs and get into difficulties.

“We believe that, if implemented appropriately, minimum pricing could be part of the solution by increasing the price of alcohol, particularly of high strength products and is one way of addressing the alcohol abuse issues that we face in Scotland. Consequently, Tennent's supports the proposals to introduce minimum pricing so long as the measures proposed are fair, proportionate and part of an overall programme to reduce the abuse of alcohol.

“We believe passionately that responsible adults have the right to enjoy drinking sensibly and we believe that minimum pricing, when combined with other measures, may contribute to an improvement in society.”